Saturday, July 22, 2017

Mumbai: Maharashtra government has chosen Amaravati, Gondia, Nashik, Jalgaon, Nanded, Solapur, Kolapur, Ratnagiri and Sindhudurg under Regional Connectivity Scheme (RCS) of the Centre via the air route. The companies that have chosen to run these airports have been given some concessions for fuel, electricity etc. A committee has also been appointed by the government headed by the principal secretary civil aviation to monitor functioning of the airports.

The RCS was launched by the Centre to connect small cities through the air route. To make the scheme financially viable, the Centre has told the state to give concessions to the companies that will be running the services. The state appointed committee will monitor the functioning of the airports.

The concessions given by the state includes “ tax on Air Turbine Fuel which would be one per cent for the next 10 years. The state will speak to oil companies to ensure the required services at the airports. The state will provide infrastructure and roads connecting the airports with other modes of transport like metro, railways and waterways. It would also give free land as and when required for the infrastructure. The state’s responsibility is to make trained manpower, well-equipped security and fire brigade avaialbe for the airport. Maharashtra government will also provide water, electricity and other facilities at a concession.”
22/07/17 Shruti Ganapatye/Asian Age